A new legislative building broke ground today at the Talangaholo Royal Estate at Matatoa, marking a historic step in the kingdom’s sesquicentennial constitution celebrations.
King Tupou VI led the ceremony, joined by Pacific leaders, parliamentarians and community figures.
The building will house the Legislative Assembly of Tonga and the Parliamentary precinct, on a site legally declared part of Nuku’alofa to satisfy constitutional requirements. The construction is part of the 150th-anniversary programme of the 1875 constitution.
The The NZD $32 million project is jointly funded by New Zealand and Australia, with construction slated to be completed in late 2027. Australia contributes AUD$13 million in grant via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) funding for a modern, climate-resilient building.
In his address, King Tupou VI reflected on the 1875 constitution as “the vision … still as clear and relevant today as it was 150 years ago.” He emphasised the importance of maintaining sovereignty and democratic institutions as Tonga celebrates this milestone.
The groundbreaking ceremony inaugurates construction of a building designed to withstand tropical cyclones, surges and earthquakes, and to embody Tongan cultural values in its architecture and function.
The original Parliament House, established in 1892, was destroyed by Cyclone Gita in 2018. Since then, parliamentary proceedings have been held at the Tonga National Centre.
With national elections set for 20 November, the new Parliament site adds symbolic weight to constitutional-celebration events and the kingdom’s democratic future.
